Not PC with Lorri from PPC

Over the past month I’ve had the privilege of spending time back in teaching spaces, and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it. The work has been varied, interesting, and incredibly rewarding. I’ve been teaching children, working alongside teachers, mentoring colleagues, and learning along the way. What has stood out to me most during this time is how much there still is to discover in teaching — new strategies, fresh perspectives, challenges that stretch our thinking, a

The landscape of early childhood education in Aotearoa New Zealand is changing — and it has been for some time. Over the past ten years, and particularly the last five, I’ve watched the expectations placed on our sector shift in ways that feel both gradual and significant. In my own roles and responsibilities, I’ve felt the edges of the work expand. What was once clearly teaching now often sits alongside supporting, guiding, advocating, counselling, and sometimes — if we’re h

Planning to teach matters. Not as a compliance exercise, not as paperwork to satisfy an audit, but as a deliberate, thoughtful act that honours the rights, learning and development of tamariki. When we give the appropriate time to thinking, reflecting, and intentionally planning our teaching and learning environments, something powerful happens. Tamariki, whānau and teachers are able to engage with the space in ways that feel purposeful, connected and meaningful. Learning bec

Over the past week, a whole country has witnessed – and had plenty to say about – the demise of our latest All Blacks rugby coach, Razor. To be fair, I’m not a huge fan of his… although that’s not entirely true. A 74% winning record over the past two years, second only to one other All Blacks coach, is no small achievement and absolutely deserves recognition. Those statistics matter. Performance matters. And yet. Losses to Argentina and South Africa x2 – some genuine firsts f

Are we though? Really? As I write this, it’s Friday 9th January 2026 and officially—well, not officially —I’ve been “back at work” for about a week. Along with a whole lot of other people I know. And yet… it feels like I’ve got one foot firmly planted in work mode, while the other foot is still stretched out on a deck chair, sunnies on, cold drink in hand, refusing to budge. Don’t get me wrong. I’m doing all the right things. I’m up early. I’m listening to my “work” podcasts

As we bid farewell to 2025 and welcome in 2026, it's time for new beginnings, new goals, and a fresh start. It's that time of year when we all make resolutions and set intentions for the year ahead. And while it may sound like a cliché, I find myself buying into it every year. I set myself a few goals each year - eat less, drink less, exercise more, read more, work harder and smarter, and spend more time with family and friends. My go-to goals are always to exercise more and

The Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand has released the new Code and Standards, set to take effect in 2026. By 2027, these expectations should be fully woven into every registered teacher’s professional growth cycle (PCG). On first look, I found myself genuinely grateful — and honestly, a little relieved. The standards have been uplifted, shaken up, and flipped over. Exactly what has been needed for quite some time. The language is direct, accessible, and unmistakably c

To consult… or to teach… that really is the question. What I’ve come to discover is that the answer is actually 6/7. Same same.